Iceland's J'hann J'hannsson's hits Philly for the first time

The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.

options

Iceland's J'hann J'hannsson's hits Philly for the first time

POSTED: Friday, June 26, 2009, 9:13 PM

Filed Under: Music

A barely audible synthesized patch of ethereality sounds, slowly plays a serene chord progression, grows. Two violins enter with a simple melody, viola and cello enter with a countermelody, electronics are introduced and before you know it you have been completely submerged in sound. Then the strings modulate, start a new melody and the building continues.

Icelandic composer/performer J'hann J'hannsson's music has been described as ambient, modern, neu-classical. He has won awards for film scores, collaborated with artists of all disciplines and succeeds in creating sweeping, cinematic overtures that paint intriguing portraits of modern life ' his first solo album, IBM 1401, A User's Manual is about the first computer to arrive in Iceland, his second, and most recent, Fordlandia explores the idea of a society's failed attempt at utopianism through allegorical tales about pagan rocket builders, overzealous capitalists, and dying mythological gods.

This spring J'hannsson embarked on his first ever U.S. tour. He'll use the same instrumentation as his recording (that is, when that lineup is not being supplanted by a 50-piece orchestra), but the featured musicians will be members of the American Contemporary Music Ensemble rather than the usual cast of Icelanders.

Sat., June 27th, 8 p.m., $10-20, w/ Lichens, St. Mary's Church, 3916 Locust Walk, thegatherings.org.

Posted by kylepress @ 9:13 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Comments (0)

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
NOW SEE THIS: Tim and Eric direct Terry Crews for Old Spice

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: